Operation Big Star[3] was a series of US military exercises using 4 trains (of 6 planned) from the Hill Air Force Base rail terminal over "21 railroads in the Northwest and Midwest" during summer 1960.

[14] The operational Minuteman trains were planned to have "five of the 10 cars [for] living and working quarters for the missilemen, including a control section where two launch officers [would] sit at duplicate panels…separated by bullet-proof glass.

"[15] The Hill Air Material Area personnel were to rebuild existing Army-owned rail "cars to handle crews and equipment."

[16] On 27 January 1961, a train was in Chicago "testing switching facilities" with "launching cars weigh 127 tons, equipped with four extra wheels to bear the weight of the 30 ton Minuteman, and a set of 12 hydraulic jacks to secure the missile in firing position"[17] (the 1st operational train was planned for June 1962.

"[22] The plan for Minuteman trains "had been shelved temporarily" by 19 May 1961,[23] and on 14 December 1961, the Pentagon ended the rail program due to cost.